Greater Manchester Police this week released 49 pictures of Glasgow Rangers fans involved in riots at May’s Uefa Cup final in Manchester.

They asked media to delay publication until three hours after Crimewatch released the pictures.

However, the Record, Sun, Herald, Daily Mail and Scotsman, broke the embargo by one day.

Jim Raeburn, director of the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society, said: ‘When the police choose to give preferential treatment to one television programme, in this instance Crimewatch, they seriously risk the co-operation they receive from newspapers and other media on a regular basis.”

A police statement said: “Those of you who have broken the embargo should take into consideration the fact that your actions have hampered a police investigation.

‘Future requests for assistance from Greater Manchester police will be prioritised accordingly and this matter will be raised formally with your relevant editors.”